BG108838A - Method for producing youthful-appearing smooth and small-pored skin - Google Patents

Abstract

The method includes local pretreating of the skin with retinoic acid. Contaminate in oil is applied on the skin and it is removed by rupturing with laser light. The contaminate removal requires only about 4 min. The laser light itself does not injure the skin but the rupture of the contaminate produces thermal injury in the high dermis leaving the epidermis intact. Repeated intermittent laser treatments and application of topical retinoic acid produces the desired results in the skin as long as the treatment and application continues.

Description

Background

Laser beam skin treatment is used to rejuvenate it, to remove pigments and hair, and to treat infections. In the field of dermatology and plastic surgery, the use of lasers is generally based on two types of mechanisms: the thermal effect in which the energy of the laser beam is converted to thermal energy, or the mechanical effect in which the energy of the laser beam is converted in a shockwave to the skin. In most laser treatments, the laser is used to vaporize the superficial wrinkles and superficial layers of the skin, so that, in response to hyellinization, new collagen and skin are naturally provided. The procedure takes place under local or general anesthesia, takes several hours, and recovery takes one or two weeks. During the first week, patients may have a feeling of intense heat on the skin. Strong burns can occur that result in permanent scarring. It is reported that bacterial and

yeast infections can also lead to scarring. Additional potential complications include changes in pigmentation and herpes infections. Retinolic acid (Retin-A, tretinoin) has also been used for topical treatment of the skin in order to improve the appearance and texture of the skin. Retinolic acid thin the cornea, increase the density of the epidermis and increase the production of collagen in the dermis. However, retinolic acid also causes redness and skin sensitivity. Repeated use can cause loss of pigment, tenderness, dryness, swelling of the skin and contact dermatitis. In an effort to avoid these disadvantages of laser therapy and eliminate the undesirable side effects of retinolic acid, Tankovich et al. (US Patent No. 6,036,684) have developed a laser method for photomechanical activation of the skin using a Q-switched Nd: YAG laser (neodymium: yttrium aluminum-garnet with a short pulse intensity) of 1064 nm and exposure 2.5J / cm2. However, exposure of the skin to this type of laser treatment does not in itself affect the skin, since the skin has no target inherent to a wavelength of 1064 nm.

It has been found that when a skin is given an activating solution of graphite or carbon in baby oil (containing organic essential fats and plant extracts), these particles become a target for a wavelength of 1064 nm and explode under the influence of a laser beam.

Before applying the laser, the particles are pressed onto the skin below the surface of the cornea using ultrasound. Subsequently, the explosion of carbon particles by the laser beam causes localized mechanical damage to the hair bulbs and skin pores. There is no significant damage to the skin tissue, since Laser energy that is not adsorbed in carbon is harmlessly dispersed on the skin. A weak flow of 2.5 J / cm ² leaves the epidermis intact and the typical adverse effect does not manifest itself.

Although Tankovich's photometric laser method is relatively safe compared to photothermal laser treatments and leaves the epidermis intact, this photometric laser method is relatively ineffective in treating the skin, since the extent of damage in the deep dermis is due to the explosion of carbon particles in the skin. the epidermis is insufficient to induce adequate deposition of collagen during wound healing.

Therefore, there is a need for a means of enhancing collagen deposition during the wound healing process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method of producing rejuvenated, smooth and small pores of the skin according to the present invention involves pretreatment of the skin with retinolic acid, creating thermal damage in the deep dermis by photomechanical laser treatment, maintaining skin rejuvenation by repeating thermal damage at a minimum. a year, as well as topical administration of retinolic acid twice a week.

Neodymium used: yttrium aluminum-garnet laser with short pulse intensity (Q-switched Nd: YAG) with a wavelength of 1064 nm and at 2.5 J / cm ² to evaporate the locally activating solution of carbon particles suspended in oil for babies. One-off face treatment can be completed in 4 minutes without anesthesia, without the need for a recovery period and at relatively low losses.

An advantage of the present invention is the preparation of chronic deep dermal injury without damage to the epidermis, as well as the increase of laser-induced collagen deposition in the deep dermis by retinolic acid.

Another advantage of the method according to the invention is the chronic rejuvenation of the skin and the parallel healing effect on the skin, such as the elimination of skin infections.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the suppression of the sebaceous glands and the reduction of the pores of the skin are achieved, leading to the elimination and prevention of acne.

In addition, the method according to the invention uses laser treatment at low energy level, and the use of retinolic acid does not lead to side effects.

Another advantage of the present invention is that a single facial skin treatment can be completed within a few minutes, and continuous skin rejuvenation is achieved at a relatively low cost.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 describes the method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the cross-sectional view of the skin and the role of heat and oil in the process of the present invention.

FIG. 3 represents the complete skin treatment cycle of the invention

FIG. 4 shows the cosmetic effect of the method of the invention in treating the skin of a patient suffering from acne vulgaris.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

While the preferred embodiments are described below, it should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to details of the structure and organization of the parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention has other possible embodiments and can be applied in various ways.

The healing of a skin wound occurs within one year of the injury, regardless of the means by which it is induced. For the first five days, the wound is inserted into the inflammatory cells and new blood vessels. An immature form of collagen is then deposited parallel to the skin surface. For six months, the body displaces this collagen, trying to identify a stronger recovery. About six months after the onset of injury, this immature collagen is replaced by a mature collagen protein oriented perpendicular to the skin surface. In this process, the protein bands are crosslinked for three months, or ten, eleven and twelve months from the onset of injury. This effect is visible on the skin surface as a clear contraction of the size of the scar to one third of its initial size. Twelve months after the injury began, the wound healed. But any additional irritation at the site of the wound during the first six months of recovery triggers a stronger permanent recovery. Any additional irritation at the site of the wound during the second six months leads to additional deposition of mature collagen in the wound. To the extent that some injuries recur before the end of the 12-month period, the site becomes a chronic wound producing more collagen, undergoing more cross-linking, and a larger area of the surface contracting.

The method of the present invention described herein relates to a series of treatments using a Tankovich laser and an activating solution to maximize the output signal during the first six months of administration. The processes of Tankovich described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,803 and U.S. Pat. 6,036, 684 are included in the accompanying references. However, in the present invention, the activating solution does not need to be forced into the ultrasound skin cavities as required by the Tankovich method. Beginning at the sixth month of baseline injury, a series of laser booster treatments are made until the desired end point of recovery is reached.

AMMENDED SHEET skin. At a minimum, a booster laser treatment is done before twelve months have passed to keep the wound active. If the wound is inactive, it will be necessary to repeat the initial series of injuries from the first six months in order for the skin surface healing process to continue permanently.

Example 1: Pre-treatment of the skin with a collagen and blood vessel-inducing agent

The method of the invention involves a series of treatments using a Tankovich laser and an activating solution to maximize the output signal during the first six months of administration. The processes of Tankovich described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,803 and U.S. Pat. 6,036, 684 are included in the accompanying references. However, according to the present invention, the activating solution is not forced into the ultrasound skin cavities as required by the Tankovich method. Beginning at the sixth month of baseline injury, a series of laser boost treatments are performed until the desired end point of skin surface recovery is reached. At a minimum, a booster laser treatment is done before twelve months have passed to keep the wound active. If the wound is inactive, it is necessary to repeat the initial series of injuries from the first six months in order for the skin surface healing process to continue permanently.

The first step of the method according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1, Step 10, which consists in the local pre-treatment of the skin with a collagen-inducing agent and an angiogenesis inducing agent, preferably retinoic acid, and in particular its non-generic form, such as Retin-A (tretinoin). Retinolic acid restores skin architecture back to its youthful form.

AMMENDED SHEET

With aging of the skin, the natural dents and protrusions of the dermal-epidermal junction 21 are leveled (Fig. 2). In the young, basal cells originating from the dermal-epidermal junction 21 form layers of the epidermis every three weeks. With age, this slows down to four weeks. Retinolic acid superficial on the skin returns to the process every three weeks. The uppermost layer of the epidermal cells, the stratum cornea, consists of dead cells held together by the cell glue. With age, this layer thickens, making the skin look less fresh and enlarge pores. Retinolic acid surface attacks the cell glue directly, thinning the cornea and making the pores smaller by reducing the amount of debris in it. In my studies, I found that 0.05% to 1% concentration of retinolic acid in topical formulations has the ability to induce new collagen and to form new blood vessels in the deep dermis. The pretreatment period is one to four weeks, preferably two weeks with retinolic acid administered twice weekly with at least two days intervals between each administration. Laser therapy according to the present invention would not be effective without prior treatment with retinolic acid locally.

Example 2: Creation of a chronic wound in the deep dermis

The second step 11 of the method of the present invention shown in Figure 1 is the creation of a chronic wound in the deep dermis. It is obtained by photomechanical laser treatment, whereby the laser beam does not directly interact with the skin but instead interacts with a contaminant in the skin. The contaminant has the properties to absorb the laser beam and explode. Preferred contaminants are carbon or graphite particles in oil 20 that are applied to the skin (Fig. 2). Once the contaminant or activating solution has been applied to the skin, laser treatment can begin. The energy from the laser is adjusted to be sufficient to cause the particle to explode. When they explode, they cause corneal removal and mineral oil 20 penetrates the epidermis, producing hydration of the epidermis by delaying the evaporation of water (Fig. 2). The heat from the explosion of the contaminating particles induces photothermal injury in the mesh region of the deep dermis 22, initiating a normal healing process. In order to produce sufficient degree of damage at the site of the wound, laser treatment is performed several times over a six-month period, preferably six times over a six-month period. During these first six months, retinolic acid is given topically twice weekly as described above. The construction of new collagen in the deep dermis 22 in response to laser and retinolic acid treatment thinner the skin and increase its turgor, leading to the formation of smaller skin pores. Destroyed blood vessels, angiomas and scars or traces of sutures are also minimized by filling with new collagen.

The skin's ability to easily bruise is reduced by its collagen buildup. The lips become redder, the fine lines are minimized and the dark circles around the eyes are minimized. As new, collagen crosslinks large lines of wrinkles, such as nasal labial folds and perioral and pyreocular lines (caused by the adherent attachment of muscles to the deep layers of the dermis), marionettes, convex corners of the mouth, and temporal lines of the forehead, as if they were melting into new skin. The new skin has a brilliant quality, the result of the pulsating nature of the laser damage and the high content of mineral oil in the activating solution. Retinolic acid and laser treatment work together to minimize the associated differential pigmentation caused by sunburn is hormones (milasma). Redness from burning, a

AMMENDED SHEET as well as acne vulgaris, acne rosacea or maturation scars or stretch marks are also reduced.

Due to the proximity of the sebaceous glands to the surface and because the new collagen formation reduces the size of the skin pores, the method of the present invention is applicable to sebaceous gland disorders such as acne. The secretion of the sebaceous glands is reduced and the small pore size prevents bacteria from entering the skin pores. In addition, the heat generated by the explosion of the contaminant particles is sufficient to kill bacteria, fungi and viruses on the skin surface or in the deep dermis. It also allows treating various conditions such as warts, herpes, psoriasis and eczema.

The third step 12 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, is the continuous continuous maintenance of the deep dermal wound in order to maintain rejuvenated skin and treat different skin conditions.

This is accomplished by laser treatment according to the invention at least once a year and preferably twice, in parallel with continuous topical application to the skin of retinolic acid twice a week, as described above.

Example 3: Full cycle of skin treatment to obtain rejuvenated, smooth and small skin pores

The complete skin treatment cycle of the invention is shown in FIG. 3. In the first step 40, pretreatment is initiated by topical application of retinol hair to the skin at least twice a week. The concentration of retinolic acid in topical formulations is from 0.05% to 1%, preferably 0.1%. Pre-treatment period is preferably two weeks. In the next step 41, an activating graphite solution in baby oil is applied to the skin. The graphite-oil ratio may range from 1: 1 to 1: 9, preferably 1: 4, i.e., about 20% graphite suspended in about 80% by weight. butter. In the following steps 42 and 43, a laser beam is scanned on the area treated with the activating solution so as to substantially clear the entire mixture of the skin surface by exploiting or fractionating the carbon or graphite particles in the oil. This facial scanning process takes about 2 to 10 minutes, usually about 4 minutes.

For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferred to use a neodymium: short-pulse yttrium aluminum garnet laser (Q-switched Nd: YAG). The radiation wavelength may range from 800 nM to 2000 nM, preferably 1064 nm. The laser pulse rate ranges from 1 to 20 per second, preferably 10 per second. The duration of each pulse ranges from 0.01 to 1 microseconds, preferably 0.01 microseconds. Exposure to skin treatment with an activating solution ranges from 1 to 3 J / cm, preferably 2.5 J / cm.

In the next step 44, the laser treatment step is repeated several times to create a chronic wound in the deep dermis 22 (Fig. 2). The latter may be repeated 2 to 12 times within a 6 month period, preferably six times. During this time, retinolic acid is applied to the skin 1 to 4 times a week, preferably 2 times a week, with an interval of 2 to 3 days between applications.

Retinolic acid administration may vary in an equivalent manner on a monthly basis, ie. 4 to 16 applications per month, preferably 8 applications per month, in which all applications can be completed within one or two weeks of a given month, but preferably applied every week of the month. In the next step 45, the laser process is repeated at least once in the next six months and then at least once a year, but preferably twice a year. Early treatments will maintain a chronic wound in the deep dermis. At the same time, it is local to the skin

AMMENDED SHEET

administer retinolic acid every week as described above. The prolonged combination of intermittent laser therapy with topical retinolic acid treatment maintains recovery and therapeutic results in the skin indefinitely.

Example 4: Effect of the Method of the Invention on the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

FIG. 4 shows, shows the cosmetic effect of the method according to the invention on the skin of patients suffering from acne vulgaris. The preceding picture shows the patient's skin prior to laser treatment, and the following picture shows the patient's skin after six months of treating the skin with the method and process of the present invention. The lesions and scars are substantially reduced in strength and the process of acne formation is completely prevented. Moreover, this is done leaving the epidermis intact and normal. Continued chronic treatment by the method of the present invention is expected to produce further improvement in skin type.

The foregoing description of the invention is limited to specific embodiments of this invention. It is apparent, however, that variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments of the invention by one of skill in the art, with some or all of its advantages being achieved, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, agents other than retinolic acid, which induce collagen and blood vessel growth, may be used in place of retinolic acid. Any laser system capable of exploding or destroying contaminants in the skin without directly damaging them can be used in the present invention. The activating solution may be made with any suitable oil with any suitable contaminant.

It should be understood that various changes in the details, materials and organization of the particles described and illustrated above may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art in order to explain the nature of this invention without departing from the principle and scope of the invention. the invention as defined in the following claims.

AMMENDED SHEET

Claims (21)

Claims A method for treating the skin, comprising the steps of: a) pre-treating the skin with a topical collagen-stimulating agent; B) creating a wound in the deep dermis of the skin; c) continuous treatment of the skin with said topical collagen-stimulating agent after the creation of said wound in the deep dermis; and d) maintaining the deep dermis in a chronic condition. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of pre-treatment and continuous treatment of the skin with a blood vessel stimulating agent 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said collagen-stimulating agent is retinolic acid. The method of claim 2, wherein said blood vessel-stimulating agent is retinolic acid. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of creating a wound in the deep dermis is by exploding a contaminant on the surface of the skin with a laser beam. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that said chronic wound formation in the deep dermis leaves the epidermis intact. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the step of creating a chronic wound in the deep dermis is performed by exploding a contaminant on the skin with a laser beam repeated within a six-month period of the pre-treatment stage. AMMENDED SHEET The method of claim 5, wherein the step of maintaining a chronic wound in the deep dermis is performed by exploding a contaminant on the surface of the skin with a laser beam at least every twelve months. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the steps of creating and maintaining a chronic wound in the deep dermis are performed by exploding a contaminant on the skin with a laser beam with a wavelength of 800 nM to 2000 nM, a pulse frequency of 1 to 20 per second, with a duration of 0.001 to 1 microsecond and a flow of 1 to 3 J / cm ² . The method of claim 9, wherein said laser beam has a wavelength of 1064 nM, a pulse rate of 10 per second, a pulse duration of 0.01 microseconds and a flow of 2.5 J / cm ^2. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that said retinolic acid is applied to the skin 4 to 16 times per month. A method according to claim 11, wherein said retinolic acid is applied to the skin 1 to 4 times per week. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said retinolic acid is applied to the skin twice a week. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that said retinolic acid is applied topically at a concentration of 0.05% to 1%. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said retinolic acid is administered topically at a concentration of 0.1%. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the pre-treatment step is carried out for two weeks. AMMENDED SHEET A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the wound formation in the deep dermis is completed within 2 to 10 minutes. A method according to claim 17, characterized in that the wound formation in the deep dermis is completed in about four minutes. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein said method of treatment of the skin is used to rejuvenate the skin and to remove broken blood vessels, angiomas, scars, wrinkles, pigmentation, and redness of the skin. 20. The method of claim 1, wherein said skin treatment method is used to treat acne, warts, herpes, eczema, psoriasis and skin infections. 21. A method according to claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the laser beam used is a neodymium: short-pulse yttrium aluminum-garnet laser (Qswitched Nd: YAG laser).